Center Square: Congress passes bill streamlining veterans joining trucking workforce

Sep 30, 2024
Economy & Jobs
In the News
Veterans' Issues

CENTER SQUARE, MORGAN SWEENEY

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan bill backed by Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger that boosts the trucking industry with its significant shortage of drivers and veterans looking for a post-military career.  

Under current law, veterans cannot use their GI benefits to pay for courses to obtain their commercial driver’s licenses at new branches of educational institutions. For example, if a trucking school expanded and opened a second location, any CDL courses it provided would not be eligible for GI benefits for its first two years.

The Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act exempts new branches whose primary facility has already been approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and state regulators for GI benefits. State and veterans’ department rules governing curriculum standards will still apply.

“Veterans who want to hit the road and enter the trucking workforce should not be met with arbitrary wait times and burdensome red tape,” Spanberger said in a statement. 

The bill was led by U.S. Reps. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., and Chris Pappas, D-N.H., but Spanberger – running for governor – was one of its original cosponsors. 

The legislation should be particularly helpful in Virginia, which boasts a large military population.

“Virginia has the fastest-growing veteran labor force in the United States, and the trucking industry offers them high-paying jobs when they leave military service,” said Dale Bennett, president and CEO of the Virginia Trucking Association.

Jerome Redmond, chairman of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, was also glad to see the legislation pass.

“Because of their extensive training, exceptional professionalism, and mission-focused approach, veterans are ideal candidates to join the trucking workforce,” Redmond said. “The relief provided under this bipartisan proposal will give veterans additional choices when seeking out professional truck driving careers.”

Recent Posts


Oct 3, 2024
Veterans' Issues

President Signs Into Law Spanberger-Backed Bill to Cut Red Tape for Veterans Joining the Trucking Workforce

The “Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act” Would Cut Red Tape for CDL Schools & the Veterans They Serve WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden this week signed into law bipartisan legislation U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger helped lead to cut red tape for Veterans looking to use their GI benefits to pay for commercial driver’s license […]



Oct 2, 2024
Press

Spanberger Grateful for FEMA Disaster Assistance for Virginia to Recover from Hurricane Helene, Urges Congress to Pass Emergency Appropriations Package to “Meet Any Unmet Needs”

Congresswoman: “Virginia’s Families And Businesses Will Need Additional Support As The Full Extent Of The Devastation Becomes Clear” WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after President Biden granted additional federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Congresswoman also urged congressional […]



Oct 1, 2024
Press

Spanberger, Wittman Lead Bipartisan Effort to Increase Military Leave for Federal Employees Serving in the National Guard, Reserves

The “Supporting Federal Employees in the National Guard & Reserves Act” is Endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Fire Fighters, American Federation of Government Employees, & Reserve Organization of America WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase military leave […]